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| |  | | Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada | | | context : | Bolivia  | | judgement place : | Bolivia | | status : | On trial | | particulars : | Claims of genocide brought against him in 2005; trial in absentia opened in Bolivia on 18 May 2009 | | position : | President of Bolivia |
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| | | | On 13 October 2003, Sánchez de Lozada was forced to resign and left for exile in the USA. Carlos Mesa, the then Vice-President, assumed the presidency.
During the first few weeks of his government, President Mesa promised an investigation by the civilian authorities into the events of February and October 2003 and declared an amnesty for anyone detained in connection with the so-called “gas war”.
Soon after, the Vice-Minister of Justice publicly confirmed that financial compensation would be paid to the injured and the immediate family members of the victims of the October events, and that the medical expenses of those injured in the clashes would also be paid.
Inquiry into the February 2003 events:
An official inquiry into the events of February 2003 and the circumstances surrounding the deaths were initiated by the civilian authorities. Proceedings were taken out against military personnel (see “spotlight”) but no action is taken against Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada.
Inquiry into the October 2003 events:
Diverse sectors of civil society filed complaints with the Attorney General’s Office for legal action to be taken concerning the responsibility of former President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada and his ministers over the deplorable events of October 2003.
In November 2003, the Attorney General’s Office files an application with the Supreme Court of Justice requesting political and criminal proceedings to be taken against the former president and his cabinet for the violation of constitutional guarantees and individual rights.
In 14 October 2004, Congress gave its authorisation for the proceedings into the responsibility of the former president and his cabinet of ministers to go ahead.
At the end of October, it was announced that the Public Prosecutor’s Office would begin an investigation into the events of September and October 2003, and five prosecutors were appointed.
These investigations proceeded very slowly. More than a year after the tragic events of September and October 2003, the number of deaths had still not been confirmed, although it is estimated at over 80. The Attorney General’s Office has confirmed 56 deaths and a large number of wounded.
Finally, in February 2005 the Attorney General’s Office in La Paz sought an injunction against Sánchez de Lozada and 13 of his ministers for their alleged involvement in genocide.
In November 2008, Bolivian officials requested the extradition of Sanchez de Lozada and two other defendants from the US to face trial under a 1995 extradition treaty.
On 18 May 2009, the Bolivian Supreme Court of Justice opened up the trial of Sanchez de Lozada and 17 other former government officials with respect to the charges of genocide. Nine of the defendants are being tried in absentia, including Sanchez de Lozada. The Court has issued arrest warrants for the missing defendants and has declared them to be in contempt of court. | |     click for more... | | Trial Watch would like to remind its users that any person charged by national or international authorities is presumed innocent until proven guilty. | |  |  | | nationality : | | | Bolivia | | | date of birth : | | | 01.07.1930 | | | last time seen : | | | Bolivia, La Paz | | | period of charges : | | | 02.2003 - 10.2003 | | | judgement period : | | | 18.05.2009 | | | charges : | | | Genocide
Other | | | profile last modified : | | | 18.02.2010 |
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